Steam condenser



Nov. 4, 1930. J, F; RA E 1,780,476

I STEAM CONDENSER Filed Dec. 12, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4:3 JO-HNF: GRACE.

4B I TOR ATTORNEY NOV. 4, 19 30;. J GRACE 1,780,476

STEAM CONDENSER Filed Dec. 12, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 TURBINE CASIITVG- a 0 w 1 m y F F II ll ATTORNEY.

Nov. 4, 193 0.

J. F. GRACE STEAM CONDENSER Filed Dec. 12, 1928 ssh ets-sneet s ATTORNEY J. F. GRACE STEAM CONDENSER Nov. 4', 1930.

Filed Dec. 12, 1928 S'SheetS-Sheet 4 E ll Ellllll lll JOHN'F (Saar TOR ATTORNEY J. F, GRACE STEAM'CONDENSER Nov. 4, 1930.

Filed Dec. 12, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 JOHN E G R,AcE.

TOR

ATTORNEY I Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT ounce JOHN F. GRACE, OF ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR '10 WORTHI INGTON PUMP AND MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,- A CORPORATION '01 V13.-

-GINIA STEAM CONDENSER Application filed December 12, 1928. Serial No. 325,825.

This invention relates to steam condensers of the surface type, and an object of-the invention-is to, provide a condenser structure and mounting which will produce a uniform load upon the foundation, at all times and during all operating conditions of the condenser and which will relieve thevariable load upon the foundation due to varying vacuum in the condenser. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a condenser structure which will reduce to a minimum the weight to be suspended from the exhaust neck of the turbine and the v turbine support; one which embodies means for balancing atmospheric thrust; and one s which also includes adjustable means :tor varying the down-pull of the exhaust inlet and hot well or condensate reservoir upon a turbine supporting structure.

More specifically, the invention comprises a condenser embodying a condenser shell, an

exhaust steam inlet member, condensate reservoir'or hot well, expansion or yielding joints between the exhaust steam inlet memher and condenser shell and between the condensatereservoir and condenser shell, as well as providing rigid columns connecting the steam inlet member and condensate reservoir for distributing and balancing atmospheric pressures upon these two elements of the condenser structure. Means are also provided for regulating the down-pull on the turbine supporting structure, as well as suitable means for steadying the structure to prevent undue lateral vibration but permit the necessary vertical movement. 4

With these objects in view, the invention consists in various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showingoa steam condenser of the preferred form em odying the invention, and the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved condenser.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the condenser.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed section illustrating the expansion or'yielding joint besteam condensers of tween the condensate reservoir and.the condenser shell.

Fig. at is a fragmentary to plan of the exa me supporting Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed section of the expansion or yielding joint structure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved condenser structure comprises the condenser shell or body 1, which is of approved construction and has the water clrculating tubes 2 thereon. The tubes 2 are supported by the tube heads 3,'and serve to circulate the cooling or condenser water from the water boxes 1 of the condenser through the steam condensin space, as is usual in v the surface type.

The exhaust steam from a turbine (not Shown) is directed into the condensing space within the shell 1 of the condenser through the exhaust steam inlet member 10, which receives the steam from the turbine exhaust. In the present invention, the exhaust steam inlet member 10 is connected by means of a yieldable or expansion joint 11 with the con-- denser shell 1, as clearly shown inFig's. 5, 6, 7 and 8 ofthe drawings. p

The expansion or yieldable joint structure 11 may be of any approved construction; however, a particular type of such ajoint is illustrated in the drawings and comprises an annular bracket 12, which has an inclined upper edge'portion 13 through which bolts 14 extend, at suitable spaced intervals. The bolts 14 have their heads'slidablv ositioned in the bores 15 of pressure heads 16. Springs 17 engage between the pressure heads 16 and the angled edges of the bracket 12, for urging the ressure heads 16 against the flexible member 18. The flexible member'18 is illustrated as of substantially hose-like formaer suitable material andit yielda connector or to the outer surface of the exhaust" inlet member 10 so as to provideayieldable fluid tightconnection between the exhaust inlet member 10 and the condenser shell 1.

The hot well or condensate reservoir 20 is of any approved construction and it recelves the condensed steam from the condenser, such condensate being withdrawn from the hot well or condensate reservoir 20, for any suitable purpose, preferably for return throu h the boilers (not shown) of a power plant or reconversion into steam.

The hot well or condensate reservoir 20 has member 21 rigidly connected'thereto, w ich is of equal cross sec tional area with the exhaust inlet member 10,

as clearly shown by. particular reference to' Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. The top member or connector 21, which serves to connect the hot well 20 with the condenser casin 1, has an annular flange 22 about its upper e ge, which forms a part of an expansion or yieldable joint structure 23, similar in construction with the expansion or yieldable joint structure 11, so as to provide a yieldable fluid tight connection between the hot well 20 and the depending flange 24, which is formed on the condenser shell 1 for the purpose of providing this expansion jointand permitting provision of the equal, cross sectional areas of the top member 21 and the steam inlet member 10.

"3'5. .C, so as to provide rigid support for the con-.

The condenser shell 1 is bolted or rigidly supported from the foundation structure A, in any suitable manner, such as byI-beams denser, and the provisioh of the yieldable or expansion oint 11 between the condenser shell 1- and the steam inlet member 10, relieves the turbme support B of the relatively great weight of the condenser, and the-water circulating therethrough, reduces to a minimum the weight to be suspended from the exhaust neck of a turbine and materiallv reduces vibration of the condenser and the consequent wear on the tubes and their packing.

The exhaust inlet member 10 has a plurality of columns 30 connected thereto, which extend throughthe condenser casing or shell 1 and are rigidly connected to a spider-likeconstruction- 31 at their lower ends, which is in turn rigidly connected to the connector or top member 21 of the hot well 20. The spiderlike member 31 provides for distribution of the the connection between the columns 30 and the top member 21, while distribution of i .the connection between'the columns 30 and the exhaust inlet member 10 is provided through suitable beams 32 and 33. The columns are tied together so as to prevent undue 1 independent movement or vibration, by a suitable brace 34. As clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, the columns 30 are free from connection with the condenser shell or casingwl and provide rigid tieing con- .ture B.

( 7 v I nection between the exhaust inlet member'lO and the hot well 20 so as to'balance atmospheric thrust. The downward atmospheric thrust upon the exhaust casing of the turbine (not shown) is balanced by the upward atmospheric thrust on the hot well 20 and top member 21. t i

It is often desirable and necessary, to compensate" for operating conditions in a power plant of the type util zing a condenser of the present invention, to provide a definite downpull on the exhaust neck of the turbine (not shown), and, toprovide such down-pull, the

present invention embodies springs 36 which abut sup orting beams 37, which are in turn carried y the turbine supporting strucs ring 36 and companion members is prefera ly provided at each corner of the exhaust steam inlet member 10 and by regulation of the tension of the springs 36 through adjustturbine support B may be varied to provide the-desired pounda e. I Bytightening o the jack screws 0! bolts .40, thetension of the springs 36 may be regulated to vary the down pull of the exhaust steam inlet member and turbine exhaust neck and therefore either ress the turbine base more firmly upon the oundation B- or relieve the ressure as desired. The increasing of the own pull and the increasing ofthe pres sure of the turbine base upon the foundation by the t1ghtemng of the bolts or jack screws 40 w1ll counteract atmospheric uplift pressure. All of the weight of the exhaust inlet member 10 and the hot well 20 is sustained by ment of the bolts 40, the down-pullon the spring supports '44, which are associated with bracket feet 45 carried by the top member 21, of the hot well or condensatereservoin 20, the weight of the exhaust steam inlet member 10 eing distributed to the supportmg springs 44 through the columns 30. If it s so desired, adjustable tension members 46 may be provided for adjusting the tension of the springs 44. l

While in the drawings and in the foregoing description both the top and "bottom expansion joints are shown and described as the same size, shape and area, it is not desired tolimit the invention to this specific relationship of the expansion joints, as in many instances they will be of the same area, though not necessarily of the same size or dimensions.

ma am Further: a slight difference of area between the upper and lower expansion joints, or inletcross sectional areas ofthe exhaust inlet member 10 and the top member 21' of the condensate reservoir 20 may be preferred in instances where usual and referred arrangement and adjustment oft e springs 36 cannot be obtained or where it may be necessary to omit either these springs 36 or the springs A steady bearing 48 is provided, which prevents undue lateral vibration or movement of the hot well structure 20 but permits the necessary vertical movement. The steady bearing 48 may be of any approved construction; however, in the drawings it is illustrated as comprising a piston member 49 rigidly carried by the hot well 20 and moveable vertically in a pot or cylinder 50, which is carried by the foundation A. While a particular type of steady bearin of the dash po't type is illustrated in the rawings, and has'just been described, it is to be understood that such is for the purpose of illustration of an o erative structure onl and any other suitable approved means or steadymg the "condensate reservoir or hot well 20 and its companion parts may be provided without departing from the spirit of the invention.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

it will be apparent that a condenser structure has been provided wherein the weight of the condenser proper, the weight of the circulating water and of the steam and condensate in the condenser body, is supported upon a structure independent of the turbine su port B, and one in which the weight suspen ed'from the turbine exhaust neck, in normal service is relatively light, since the main support for the steam inlet member 10 and hot well is other features, relieved of t through the spring supports 44 and columns 30, andv that the turbinecolumns, footings, and pilings are, by the employment of the condenser as disclosed in the present application, embodying the two expansion joints and e relatively great weight of the condenser, circulating water contained therein, etc.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown but that these may be modified widely within the invention as defined by the claims. a

What is claimed'is: Y Y 1. In a condenser, a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reser- 'voir,and expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell.

2. In a condenser, a condenser. shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, and rigid .columns sate reservoir and shell, and rigid columns connecting said inlet member and said condensate reservoir, said columns extending through and being free from connection with said condenser shell.

. 4. In a condenser, a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion. jointsbetween said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, rigid columns connecting said inlet member and said condensate reservoir, said columns extending through and being free from connection with said condenser shell, and spring supports for said condensate reservoir.

5. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reser voir and shell, and springs associated-with. said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support.

6. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion olnts between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, springs associated with said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said- V011, expansion joints between said inlet mem-' her and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, and atmospheric pressure distributing means rigidly connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir.

9. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said inlet member and" shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, atmospheric pressure distributing means rigidly connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir, and springs associated with said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member on said support.

10. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, atmospheric pressure distributing means rigidly connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir, springs associated with said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support, and spring supports for said condensate reservoir.

11. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, rigid columns connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir, said columns extending through and. being free from connection with said condenser shell, springs associated wit-h said supportand said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support, and spring supports for said condensate reservoir.

12. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, columns connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir, springsassociated with said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support, and spring supports for said condensate reservoir, a part of said condensate reservoir being of equal cross sectional area with said inlet member for balancing atmospheric thrust.

13. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, an expansion joint between said inlet member and shell, and springs associated with said support and inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support.

14. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, an expansion joint between said inlet member and shell, springs associated with said support and inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet -member upon said support, and adjustable means for regulating the tension of. said springs.

15; In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir,

expansion joints betweensaid inlet member and shell and between said condensate reser voir and shell, springs associatedwith said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support, and adjustable means for regulating the tension of said springs.

16. In a condenser, a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir including a top member of equal cross sectional area with said inlet member, and expansion joints between said inlet member and said shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell.

17. In a condenser, a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir including a top member of equal cross sectional area with said inlet member, expansion joints between said inlet member and said shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, and spring supports for said condensate reservoir.

18. In a condenser, a condenser shell,an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir including a top member of equal cross sectional area with said inlet member, expansion joints'between said inlet member and said shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, and rigid columns connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir.

exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir including a top member of equal cross sectional area with said inlet member, expansion joints between said inlet member and said shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, rigid columns connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir, and means associated with said condensate reservoir to permit vertical movement and prevent lateral movement thereof.

20. In a condenser,'the combination with asupport, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said-condensate reservoir and shell, rigid columns connecting said inlet member and condensate reservoir, said columns extending through and being free from connection with said condenser shell, springs associated with said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support, spring supports for said condensate reser- V011, a part of said condensate reservoir being of equal cross sectional area with said inlet shell, an I matters 7 1 g ,5

reservoir, means connecting said condenser,

shell and reservoir and condenser shell and inlet member topermit relative movement of the shell, reservoir, and inlet member, and

atmospheric pressure distributing means within the. shell rigidly connecting said inlet.

member. and condensate reservoir' 23. In atcondenser, a condenser shell, an

. exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate inlet member for increasing the down-pull oi? said inlet member upon said support.

25. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, said shell, inlet member and reservoir con-, nected for relative movement, atmospheric pressure distributing means rigidly connect-' ing said inlet member and reservoir, and springs associated with said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support, and

means associated with said reservoir to permit vertical movement thereof and prevent its lateral movement.

26. In a condenser, the combination with a support, of acondenser shell, an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir,

'said shell, inlet member and reservoir connected .for relative movement atmospheric pressure distributing means'rigldly connecting said inlet member and reservoir, springs associated with said support and said inlet member for increasing the down-pull of said inlet member upon said support, and spring supports for said condensate reservoir.

27. In a condenser, a condensershell, an exhaust steam inlet member, acondensate reservoir,expansion joints between said inlet member and said shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, and adjustable means "for yieldably supporting saidcon d ensatereservoir.

28; In 'a-jcondenser, a condensate shell, an

exhaust steam inlet member, arcondensate reservoir, expansion joints between said inlet member and shell and between said condensate reservoir and shell, spring supports expansion joints between said inlet memberand shell and between saidcondensate. resersteam inlet member, a condensate reservoir,

voir and shell, and-means connected to vsaid steam inlet member and support and adjustable to vary the down pull of said support,

30. In a condenser, the combination of an exhaust steam inlet member, a'condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said con- I denser and exhaust steam inlet member and between the condenser and reservoir, andmeans independent of the condenser shell establishing rigid tying connection between said exhaust Y steam inlet member and said condensate reservoir, the cross sectional areas of said inlet member and reservoir being substantially equal. 4 v

31. In a condenser, the combination, of an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, expansion joints between said condenser and inlet member and between the condenser and reservoir, means independent of the condenser shell establishing rigid tying connection between said inlet "member and reservoir and 'means associated with said reservo1r to permit vertical movement there- "of and prevent lateral movement.-

7 32. In a' condenser, the combination, ofan exhaust steaminlet member, a condensate reservoir, anexpansion joint between the condenser and 'reservoir,'the crosssectional area of said inlet member and reservoir being sub stantially equal, means independent of the condenser shell establishing rigid tying connection between said inlet member and said condensate reservoir, and a steady-bearing associated with said .reservoir to prevent lateral movement and permitvertical movement of the reservoir.

33. In a condenser, the combination, of an exhaust steam inlet member, a condensate reservoir, an expansion joint between the condenserand reservoir, the cross sectional area of said inletmember and reservoir being substantially equal, means independent of the condenser shell establishing rigid tying connection between saidinleti member and said condensate reservoir, and a steady-bearing associatedv with said reservoir to prevent .lateral movement and permitvertical move-- ment of tlie reservoir, and adjustableyield- 1 able supports for said reservoir.

- In testimony whereof I afix my signature. I

JOHN r. GRACE.

for said condensate reservoir andmeans for adjusting the tension-of said springs.

29: In a'condenser, thecombmation with a i support, of a condenser shell, an exhaust 

